Cleveland Priest Shot At While Retrieving Eggs From Back Yard

CLEVELAND, OH -- Fr. John Kumse was collecting eggs from his 23 chickens late Dec. 11 when two men approached him with guns in hand, according to cleveland.com. The pastor of St. Mary of the Assumption Church in the rough 'n' tumble South Collinwood neighborhood narrowly escaped being shot in the robbery. He hurt his leg in a fall, but otherwise, escaped serious injuries.

On the Slovenian parish's website, Fr. Kumse is called "a priest, a farmer, a dog lover and beekeeper," and he's known for having a green thumb in the backyard garden he tends in his spare time when he's not tending to his spiritual flock.

The church, located at E. 155th Street and Holmes Avenue, has survived while other Roman Catholic churches have been closed by the Cleveland Catholic Diocese. The parishioners come back to the church from the suburbs for Sunday Mass and traditional Slovenian celebrations. Fr. Kumse has two dogs to go along with the 23 chickens he raises as a hobby.

Photo Courtesy Of Phil Hrvatin